Psalm 23

10.10.10.10

1The Lord’s my Shepherd; I have all I need;
2He makes me lie down in the pastures green.
Beside still waters, He does gently lead;
3Restores my soul when I upon Him lean.

He guides me in the paths of righteousness;
For His name’s sake, gives guidance unto me.
4Yea, though I walk through paths of darkest death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me.

Your rod and staff give comfort unto me.
5You serve a feast in presence of my foes;
My head anoint with oil for all to see;
My heart is full, and my cup overflows.

6Surely Your goodness, and Your mercy, Lord,
Will follow me for all my days and more;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord,
Dwell in His house and presence evermore.

C.M. (1650 Scottish Metrical Psalter)*

1The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want; He makes me down to lie
2in pastures green; He leadeth me the quiet waters by.

3My soul He doth restore again; and me to walk doth make
within the paths of righteousness, ev’n for His own name’s sake.

4Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale, yet will I fear no ill;
For Thou art with me; and Thy rod and staff me comfort still.

5My table Thou has furnish-ed in presence of my foes;
My head Thou dost with oil anoint, and my cup overflows.

6Goodness and mercy all my life shall surely follow me;
And in God’s house forevermore my dwelling place shall be.

* The metrical setting of Psalm 23 from the 1650 Scottish Metrical Psalter is so well-known and loved that it seemed right to include it here. This setting has remained unchanged for centuries in hymnbooks and psalters, and has been sung in this form by countless Christians for hundreds of years.